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Brymaroo Rodeo goes renewable

8 March 2018

The Brymaroo Rodeo and Campdraft is going renewable with a new solar panel system made possible by a grant from coal company New Hope Group’s Community Investment Fund.

The system is on track to be installed in time for the annual Easter Saturday Brymaroo Rodeo which regularly attracts up to 2,000 spectators who arrive with numerous horsefloats and caravans in tow.

Committee member, Cathy Wood said the solar panel system will go towards powering the rodeo’s facilities, located about 12km from New Acland Mine, and help to provide additional electricity for the influx of competitors during events.

"As our rodeo and campdraft have grown in popularity, our committee has been working hard to continually improve our grounds and facilities," Cathy said.

"During a competition weekend our grounds are full of trucks, caravans and campervans so we have to supply quite a lot of power to accommodate everyone’s electrical needs."

"The solar panels will support us in meeting demand during competitions and hopefully offset our electricity bills as we sell excess power back to the grid outside of competition times."

"We’re a small committee but we’ve grown to host some of Queensland’s best rodeos and campdrafts. Having our own solar panels will help us to offset one of our larger overheads, allowing us to invest more into the local community infrastructure."

The Brymaroo Rodeo and Campdraft Committee will not be the only group to benefit from the solar system, with numerous other organisations making use of the rodeo grounds.

"Other organisations like the local Men’s Shed use our facilities," Cathy said.

"The Brymaroo Pony Club has been based at our grounds since their beginning almost 30 years ago and have themselves hosted up to three events a year on the grounds."

"We’ve had a lot of community support over the years from people like New Hope Group so we try and give back where we can."

"Over the last year or so we’ve used our rodeo and campdraft events to fundraise a record $90,000 for local causes and groups. It’s something we’re pretty proud of."

The Easter Saturday Brymaroo Rodeo will kick off on Friday 30th March and close with the All Round Rodeo Main Performance on Saturday, 31 March at 4pm.

Entries are processed through the National Rodeo Association but spectators are encouraged to visit the event Facebook page for more information at facebook.com/BrymarooRodeoCampdraft

Applications for the next round of New Hope Group’s Community Investment Fund close 30th March 2018.

Download instructions and application forms on the New Acland Mine website at aclandproject.com.au/content/community